§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland for which organisations in Scotland he received projects involving proposals for the European anti-poverty programme; why he declined to submit such proposals to the EEC Commission; and what was the estimate of the amount required by local authorities to match the EEC money.
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§ Mr. AncramMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland decided that participation in the second EC anti-poverty programme was not justified in the light of the potentially very limited benefits to Scotland when compared with offsetting considerations. Project proposals were not therefore invited. Three applications, from Age Concern (Scotland), the Easterhouse Festival Society and West Lothian Poverty Action Forum, were nevertheless received by the Scottish Office. Applicants were advised that their proposals could not be accepted.
Any funds received from the EC anti-poverty programme have to be matched by an equal local contribution from central or local government, voluntary or private sector resources. The amount would have depended on which, if any, projects were approved but our best estimate was that Scotland might have received about £95,000 a year from the programme.